The list of award recipients for the 2022 Science Collaborative research awards is now available. The program provides grants and other support for collaborative science projects. These projects address coastal management issues important to coastal communities and strengthen the reserve system’s ability to impact coastal management and decision making. With a national network dedicated to sharing tools and knowledge, research conducted at one reserve strengthens all 30 sites and the communities they serve, leaving them better prepared to manage our changing coasts. View the 2022 awards.
Hike South Slough Reserve through the Eyes of Trail Scholar
Published: July 12, 2022
Explore the diverse habitats of Oregon’s South Slough Reserve with “Trail Scholar,” a science teacher and blogger, as she accompanies the reserve’s stewardship coordinator and a Friends of South Slough board member through upland forest, tidal creeks, and marsh. The blog describes the animals, vegetation, and water she experienced on her 3.4-mile-long hike. In addition, learn about several challenges the reserve faces from diseased plants to reduction in plant and animal populations. Visit the blog to share their experience.
NEW: Guide to Collaborative Science
Published: June 6, 2022
Our Science Collaborative program has released a practical guide for collaborative science. This guide uses lessons learned and innovative science to help project teams meet user needs by incorporating a collaborative approach. The guide is applicable for many types of projects, including those that draw from various scientific disciplines and knowledge systems, such as traditional ecological knowledge and Indigenous knowledge.
Celebrating Our Newest National Estuarine Research Reserve
Published: May 23, 2022
Congressional and state dignitaries attended the designation ceremony for the Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve, on Saturday, May 21. These dignitaries, as well as staff from the National Ocean Service, NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management, and several other local and state organizations, recognized and welcomed the lead agency, the University of Connecticut, and its supporting agency, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and participated in tours and field trips around the site and facilities.
Officials and staff from the Connecticut Research Reserve, the 30th site to join the system, are eager to get started! Read about the benefits of this reserve.
Second Cohort of Davidson Fellowship Announced
Published: May 17, 2022
The list of 2022-2024 Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship recipients is now available. The program offers students enrolled in a master’s or Ph.D. program the opportunity to conduct research within a national estuarine research reserve, and supports projects designed to help scientists and communities understand the coastal challenges that will likely influence future policy and management strategies. This fellowship honors the legacy of Margaret A. Davidson, a true visionary and pioneer in the field of coastal resource management.
2021 Disaster Resilience Report
Published: April 25, 2022
The national estuarine research reserves tackled many obstacles in 2021, including cold snaps, hurricanes, high tide flooding, and more, all while still facing the challenges of COVID-19. But, they were prepared, enabling them to help their communities respond and continue recovery efforts from previous years. This report highlights some of the reserves’ preparedness, response, and recovery activities.
Explore Mississippi’s Grand Bay Reserve
Published: March 30, 2022
Take a virtual tour of a natural coastal environment near Pascagoula, Mississippi, where wildlife thrives. Hear from the staff about the research and monitoring taking place at the reserve to better understand coastal management and changes to the environment.
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqh3rWOb2yQ
Coastal Zone Management Act 1972 to 2022
Published: March 4, 2022
Created to meet the challenges associated with future growth in the coastal zone, the Coastal Zone Management Act continues to be relevant today.
The legislation provides for the management of the nation’s coastal resources, including the Great Lakes, with a goal to “preserve, protect, develop, and where possible, to restore or enhance the resources of the nation’s coastal zone." The National Estuarine Research Reserve System, which was created through this legislation, plays a vital role in the nation's coastal resource management effort. Learn more.
Proposed Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve
Published: September 7, 2021
NOAA announces release of the Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Management Plan for 45-day public comment period, as well as public meeting date. Learn more.
Welcome Aboard!
Published: January 14, 2021
We are excited to announce the Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve! This 52,160-acre site is the 30th reserve to join the existing 1.3 million acres of estuarine habitat in our system. The final site includes unique habitats and species that are not currently found in other reserves within the Northeast. Learn more about the reserve.
Proposed Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve
Published: September 7, 2021
NOAA announces release of the Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Management Plan for 45-day public comment period, as well as public meeting date. Learn more.
Research Reserve Science Collaborative 2021 Awards Announced
Published: August 24, 2021
Twelve projects involving 15 reserve sites across the U.S. and totaling more than $4 million over three years have been recommended for support by NOAA’s National Estuarine Research Reserve System Science Collaborative. The projects recommended for funding will tackle a range of practical, pressing coastal issues, including understanding coastal ecosystem services, flood resilience planning, biofeedback monitoring, and enhancing science literacy, among others. These projects include natural and social science disciplines, along with the knowledge from indigenous partners, allowing teams to integrate social, cultural, and even spiritual values into their work. The Science Collaborative is managed by the University of Michigan Water Center. See a list, map, and details of the new projects.
Webinar: Designing Science for Coastal and Ocean Decision-Making
Published: July 21, 2021
Join NOAA’s Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies (RESTORE) Science programs and our Science Collaborative for the first joint webinar series, which features a panel of speakers who will discuss their experiences and lessons learned on how to become effective co-producers of science.
Thursday, July 29, 2021. 3 - 4:00 PM Eastern. Register here.
Davidson Fellowship Request for Proposals Released
Published: June 10, 2021
The FY 2022 - 2023 Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship request for proposals is now open. The program offers students enrolled in a Master’s or Ph.D. program the opportunity to conduct research within a National Estuarine Research Reserve, and supports projects designed to help scientists and communities understand the coastal challenges that will likely influence future policy and management strategies. This fellowship honors the legacy of Margaret A. Davidson, a true visionary and pioneer in the field of coastal resource management. View the request for proposals.
Celebrating 50 Years of Internationally Important Wetlands
Published: May 11, 2021
This month we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, a treaty focused on wetland conservation. Did you know that two of our sites, the Tijuana River Reserve and Elkhorn Slough Reserve, have received this important designation? Learn more here: oceanservice.noaa.gov/ecosystems/estuaries/ramsar-wetlands.html.
New Handout: Disaster Resilience Report
Published: April 6, 2021
2020 was a record-breaking year on many fronts. The national estuarine research reserves faced many disasters, including hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires, all while dealing with the additional challenge of COVID-19. This report highlights their preparedness, response, and recovery activities.
National Estuaries Week Photo Contest Winners
Published: September 17, 2020
Congratulations to the 2020 National Estuaries Week photo contest winners. A panel of judges anonymously selected winning photos and honorable mentions from more than 170 submissions in the following categories: Learn, Play, Smile, Vista, and Work. View the winning photos.
First Cohort of Davidson Fellows Announced
Published: July 24, 2020
Congratulations to the first cohort of Margaret A. Davidson Fellows! In the coming weeks, these 29 graduate or PhD students will begin their two-year fellowship in one of the 29 national estuarine research reserves around the country. Throughout their experience, they will be conducting research, work with a mentor, scientists and local communities, and gain career-readiness training. View the full fellow and project list.
Restoration Projects throughout the System
Published: June 25, 2020
Stewardship coordinators from the 29 national estuarine research reserves developed a story map to showcase the importance of their restoration projects and highlight their science-based lessons learned. The story map includes restoration projects for marshes, dunes, uplands, living shorelines, and oyster reef habitats with plans to include additional habitats as projects are completed. In addition, the story map includes links to restoration reference data available on the reserve system’s Centralized Data Management Office website, tools developed by the reserves to analyze data, restoration-related funding opportunities, and results from the reserves’ restoration-based Science Collaborative projects.
Sentinel Site Monitoring Goes International
Published: May 8, 2020
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System’s sentinel site monitoring program is designed to track the impacts of local sea level change on marsh, seagrass, and mangrove habitats. After the journal Biological Conservation published the sentinel site program’s Marsh Sensitivity Index, a tool that provides an early warning system to inform management and policy by assessing the state of marsh resilience, scientists and managers in Canada took note. These scientists and managers are planning to implement the sentinel site approach to assessing resilience of their marshes in British Columbia to help support and enhance the sustainability of their wild fish stocks and salmon restoration strategies.
Two Extraordinary Volunteers Receive Award
Published: March 12, 2020
Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve is proud to announce that two of its volunteers are recipients of the Daily Point of Light Award. Ruben Allen has been instrumental in educating more than 4,000 students each year and promoting accessibility. Jeff Finnan has contributed more than 400 volunteer hours in two years, assisting with monitoring and data collection and educating the public about natural and cultural resources.
The Daily Point of Light Award was established by the late President George H. W. Bush to recognize extraordinary volunteers who donate their time to better their communities.
What Makes a Tidal Marsh “Happy” or “Unhappy”
Published: January 8, 2020
Research reserve scientists and others explain marsh persistence with a twist on novelist Leo Tolstoy’s famous “happy families” opening line. A study’s major discovery—which the authors dub the “Anna Karenina principle”—is summed up, “Happy marshes are all alike; every unhappy marsh is unhappy in its own way.” The findings can help coastal managers make wiser conservation decisions that consider which tidal marshes are likely to stay in place and which are likely to degrade.
Read theView full article.
Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship Informational Webinar
Published: September 12, 2019
The recording of our Q&A webinar for potential applicants and university partners is now available.
View the recording or visit the Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship page for fellowship details.
Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship Informational Webinar
Published: August 23, 2019
Join potential applicants and university partners on September 10, 2019 for a Q&A session.
Register for the webinar or visit the Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship page for fellowship details.
The Science Collaborative Grant
Published: August 7, 2019
NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management has awarded a new grant to the University of Michigan to support NOAA’s management of the Science Collaborative. Under the program, the University of Michigan will collaborate with NOAA to solicit proposals for projects associated with the 29 research reserves.
To learn more, visit the Science Collaborative web page.
Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship
Published: May 13, 2019
This new, two-year fellowship is focused on field research within the nation’s diverse estuaries. You will work with a mentor, fellow scientists, and local communities to help address coastal challenges. The fellowship includes networking opportunities and career-readiness training.
Visit the Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship page for details.
Elkhorn Slough Designated Wetland of International Importance
Published: October 30, 2018
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve has been designated as a Wetland of International Importance by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Recognized for its rich diversity of plants, animals, and unique habitats, Elkhorn Slough joins 38 other sites in the United States, and more than 2,330 worldwide, in a network of globally important wetlands designated under the world’s oldest international environmental treaty.
Visit NOAA’s press release for details on the designation and celebration of Elkhorn Slough.
National Estuaries Week Photo Contest Winners
Published: September 20, 2018
Congratulations to the 2018 National Estuaries Week photo contest winners. A panel of judges anonymously selected winning photos and honorable mentions from 140 submissions in the following categories: Learn, Play, Smile, View, and Work. View the winning photos.
Kicking off National Estuaries Week
Published: July 25, 2018
Join the celebration of National Estuaries Week from September 15 to 22! Grab your camera and head to a national estuarine research reserve near you. Enter our photo contest for a chance to have your photos displayed throughout the week. Visit our National Estuaries Week website to find an activity near you.
Elkhorn Slough’s Kerstin Wasson Receives Science Research Award
Published: May 9, 2018
Congratulations to Kerstin Wasson, PhD, research coordinator at Elkhorn Slough Research Reserve, for being awarded the Environmental Law Institute’s Science Research Award at the 2018 National Wetlands Awards. Kerstin is recognized as a leader in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System for her work on wetland restoration at Elkhorn Slough, and for spearheading the development of the reserve system’s Marsh Resiliency Index. These are just a few of her many accomplishments in her 18 years at Elkhorn Slough.
The National Wetlands Awards are presented annually to individuals who have excelled in wetlands protection, restoration, and education.
Explore Research Opportunities
Published: March 29, 2018
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System provides an abundance of research opportunities to advance the scientific understanding of ecosystem services. Visit this story map to explore some of the place-based projects around the system.
Congratulations to the 2017 National Estuarine Research Reserve System Award Winners
Published: January 2, 2018
IMPACT Award: Jobos Bay Reserve for its outstanding contributions and community involvement in the Jobos Bay area in the face of severe challenges.
Technical Assistance Award: Chris Mitchell (research assistant, Hudson River) and Melissa Ide (data center manager, Centralized Data Management Office) for their technical skills and support of the System-wide Monitoring Program.
Award for Outstanding Contributions: Betsy Blair, manager of Hudson River Reserve, for her exemplary leadership and commitment to the mission for the past 32 years.
Helping Mission-Aransas Reserve Get Back on Its Feet
Published: December 12, 2017
During the National Estuarine Research Reserve System annual meeting, staff members from NOAA and 28 reserves, along with partners, formed several teams to assist Mission-Aransas Reserve in Port Aransas, Texas, with cleanup and repairs in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.
National Estuaries Week Photo Contest Winners
Published: September 14, 2017
Congratulations to the 2017 National Estuaries Week photo contest winners. Winning photos were selected from 180 submissions in the following categories: Learn, Play, View, and Work. View the winning photos.
Kicking off National Estuaries Week
Published: August 8, 2017
Join the celebration of National Estuaries Week from September 16 to 23! Grab your camera and head to a national estuarine research reserve near you. Enter our photo contest for a chance to have your photos displayed throughout the week. Visit our National Estuaries Week website to find an activity near you.
Rookery Bay Named a Top North American Ecological Reserve
Published: May 10, 2017
Top Value Reviews named Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve as one of North America’s 30 most amazing ecological reserves for its protection of landscapes and habitats. Rookery Bay protects 110,000 acres of estuary framed by pristine mangrove forest, which is home to 150 species of birds and many threatened and endangered animals.
Welcome Aboard!
Published: January 18, 2017
Announcing the New He'eia National Estuarine Research Reserve (Hawai'i)
Proposed He'eia National Estuarine Research Reserve (Hawai'i)
Published: September 1, 2016
NOAA announces release of the He'eia National Estuarine Research Reserve Final Environmental Impact Statement and Final Management Plan. Learn more.
NOAA Announces Funding for Six Projects to Improve National Estuarine Research Reserves
Published: May 27, 2016
Six construction projects for national estuarine research reserve sites received nearly $1.5 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Construction projects will range from state-of-the-art estuarine science laboratories to interpretive trails designed for public use. Learn More.
Winners Announced at NERRS Annual Meeting
Published: November 23, 2015
The 2015 winners of the NERRS IMPACT and NERRS-NERRA Awards were announced during the 2015 NERRS-NERRA Annual Meeting in Mobile, Alabama. The IMPACT Award was presented to Kenny Raposa, Scott Lerberg, Kerstin Wasson, and Erik Smith for their work to increase the understanding of climate change impacts on coastal and estuarine environments through the development of a marsh report card. Ginger Hinchcliff received the NERRS-NERRA award in recognition of her extensive leadership and support of the reserve system over more than 20 years. Her nomination listed accomplishments such as laying the groundwork for the Coastal Training Program and making connections to federal agencies for enhanced technical support.
National Estuaries Week Photo Contest Winners
Published: September 21, 2015
Congratulations to the 2015 National Estuaries Week photo contest winners. Winning photos were selected from over 130 submissions in the following categories: Swimmers, Fliers, Creepers, Vistas, Work, and Play. View the winning photos here.
Science Collaborative Allocates $358,000 to 16 Reserve Sites
Published: September 1, 2015
Science Transfer awards are provided to organizations that find new ways to use reserve-based information and assets to further the nation’s coastal management goals. This year’s projects addressed a range of needs, including the development of climate planning scenarios, the establishment of information and partnership networks to support coastal stewardship, and the development of curricula in support of K-12 science programming.
Spotlight on Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve
Published: May 26, 2015
Located on the coast of southern Maine, this reserve encompasses 2,250 acres of diverse natural habitats supporting a broad variety of plants and animals, including rare species such as least terns, piping plovers, and slender blue flag iris. Wells also holds the honor of being the first research reserve and the first nonprofit in Maine to be entirely solar powered. Reserve facilities are situated at the historic Laudholm farm, settled in 1642 and occupied by only four families over the ensuing 350 years. Designated in 1984, the reserve is managed by the Wells Reserve Management Authority and the Laudholm Trust.
For more information, visit the reserve website.
Environmental Protection Agency Honors Sustainable Shoreline Project
Published: May 8, 2015
The Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve received an Environmental Champion Award for achievements in protecting public health and the environment with the Sustainable Shorelines Project. As a result of sea level rise and increased storm intensity, property owners and public agency regulators are deciding how shoreline stabilization could impact the condition of vital nearshore habitats. Using tools and initiatives created through multi-disciplinary partnerships, the Sustainable Shorelines Project staff members generated the latest scientific information in an online database. This information featured the best shoreline management options for preserving natural functions within the Hudson River Estuary’s shore zone. Learn more about this project, funded through the reserve system’s Science Collaborative.
Highlights from 2014 NERRS/NERRA Annual Meeting
Published: January 14, 2015
The 2014 NERRS/NERRA Annual Meeting was held the week of November 17 at the National Conservation Training Centerin Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Almost 200 registered participants were treated to an entertaining plenary program, including the “NERRS Show” and information on the new NERRS Science Collaborative. Training opportunities focused on topics ranging from System-Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP) timeseries data to graphic facilitation, and participants were also able to engage in cross-sectoral professional sharing and the second year of Getting Creative sessions. This year’s meeting featured the first ever Fun Run and Walk, in addition to the usual excitement at the NERRA auction.
At the NERRS/NERRA awards ceremony, Dr. Dwayne Porter, director of NOAA NERRS Central Data Management Office and associate professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of South Carolina, was honored as the recipient of the 2014 NERRS/NERRA Award for Outstanding Contribution. The University of New Hampshire’s Science Collaborative Team (Rich Langan, Kalle Matso, Dolores Leonard, Justine Stadler, Cindy Tufts, and Dwight Trueblood) was also recognized with the inaugural NERRS Impact Award for 16 years of working to encourage the use of the NERRS as scientific platforms for applied science and science-based training.
